Republic of Ireland Under-19 captain Rob Kiernan on trial in Scotland with Kilmarnock

Watford youngster Rob Kiernan has joined Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock on trial this week with a view to a possible loan move.

Kiernan, who is Republic of Ireland Under-19s captain, is highly thought of and Watford are keen for him to gain first team experience.

Kilmarnock manager Jimmy Calderwood said: "I've got a young lad in at the moment from Watford who is a centre-half. He is going to be with us for a couple of days and we will have a look at him. He
did really well in training [today]."

The 19-year-old, who made his debut against Crystal Palace last January, only has six months of his current deal left but the Hornets have the option of extending it by another year, which they are
certain to do.

Last week, Watford boss Malky Mackay said: “Rob is a young model professional. He is captain of the Republic of Ireland Under-19s and we are really happy with his development.

“He is really passionate about football and especially over the last couple of months, his level of training has gone up again.

Share article

“It is a new position for him as Sean [Dyche] put him back into that position a year ago so for the last year he has been learning central defence, but we are looking to get him out on loan and
want him to gain experience at a professional level.”

Last week Kiernan was linked with Premier League clubs Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.

Promoted Stories

Comments (6)

Republic of Ireland Under-19 captain Rob Kiernan on trial in Scotland with Kilmarnock

Holly68 says...5:17pm Thu 28 Jan 10

If they all want him get that new contract done NOW then sell him for £Ms

If they all want him get that new contract done NOW then sell him for £MsHolly68

If they all want him get that new contract done NOW then sell him for £Ms

Score: 0

Surrey Hornet says...6:32pm Thu 28 Jan 10

More to the point if he is as good as all that whyever is he not getting at least a chance in our team. With our same defence making mistake after mistake surely any defender on our books must be wondering what they have to do to get a chance to get out there & do better, let's be honest that would'nt be hard!!

More to the point if he is as good as all that whyever is he not getting at least a chance in our team.
With our same defence making mistake after mistake surely any defender on our books must be wondering what they have to do to get a chance to get out there & do better, let's be honest that would'nt be hard!!Surrey Hornet

More to the point if he is as good as all that whyever is he not getting at least a chance in our team. With our same defence making mistake after mistake surely any defender on our books must be wondering what they have to do to get a chance to get out there & do better, let's be honest that would'nt be hard!!

Score: 0

watters84 says...6:38pm Thu 28 Jan 10

absolutely spot on- at 19 years of age he should be ready without needing loaning out especially given our transparently weak defence. Clearly Mackay and Dyche are not convinced he is a championship player.

absolutely spot on- at 19 years of age he should be ready without needing loaning out especially given our transparently weak defence. Clearly Mackay and Dyche are not convinced he
is a championship player.watters84

absolutely spot on- at 19 years of age he should be ready without needing loaning out especially given our transparently weak defence. Clearly Mackay and Dyche are not convinced he is a championship player.

Score: 0

WanderingDynamo says...7:51pm Thu 28 Jan 10

Trying to look objectively at the report, it says he's changed positions in the last year so will be pretty inexperienced in defence. Let him gain that plus get 1st team football elsewhere and hopefully he'll either be competing for a spot next season or be sold for a few quid if he does have the potential the big clubs have seen. Win/win to me.

Trying to look objectively at the report, it says he's changed positions in the last year so will be pretty inexperienced in defence. Let him gain that plus get 1st team football elsewhere and hopefully he'll either be competing for a spot next season or be sold for a few quid if he does have the potential the big clubs have seen. Win/win to me.WanderingDynamo

Trying to look objectively at the report, it says he's changed positions in the last year so will be pretty inexperienced in defence. Let him gain that plus get 1st team football elsewhere and hopefully he'll either be competing for a spot next season or be sold for a few quid if he does have the potential the big clubs have seen. Win/win to me.

Score: 0

eltonsarmy says...1:39pm Fri 29 Jan 10

Martin Taylor from Birmingham just signed on a free good solid CH

Martin Taylor from Birmingham just signed on a free good solid CHeltonsarmy

Martin Taylor from Birmingham just signed on a free good solid CH

Score: 0

stevyweavy says...5:59pm Fri 29 Jan 10

WanderingDynamo wrote…

Trying to look objectively at the report, it says he's changed positions in the last year so will be pretty inexperienced in defence. Let him gain that plus get 1st team football elsewhere and hopefully he'll either be competing for a spot next season or be sold for a few quid if he does have the potential the big clubs have seen. Win/win to me.

Totally agree. Makes sense for him to get 1st team football elsewhere rather than throw him straight to the lions. With seeing Martin Taylor coming in from Birmingham it makes that much more sense.

[quote][p][bold]WanderingDynamo[/bold] wrote:
Trying to look objectively at the report, it says he's changed positions in the last year so will be pretty inexperienced in defence. Let him gain that plus get 1st team football elsewhere and hopefully he'll either be competing for a spot next season or be sold for a few quid if he does have the potential the big clubs have seen. Win/win to me.[/p][/quote]Totally agree. Makes sense for him to get 1st team football elsewhere rather than throw him straight to the lions. With seeing Martin Taylor coming in from Birmingham it makes that much more sense.stevyweavy

WanderingDynamo wrote…

Trying to look objectively at the report, it says he's changed positions in the last year so will be pretty inexperienced in defence. Let him gain that plus get 1st team football elsewhere and hopefully he'll either be competing for a spot next season or be sold for a few quid if he does have the potential the big clubs have seen. Win/win to me.

Totally agree. Makes sense for him to get 1st team football elsewhere rather than throw him straight to the lions. With seeing Martin Taylor coming in from Birmingham it makes that much more sense.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standardards Organisations's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a compaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here